JP2002364899A - Controller for air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air conditioner which can be operated in the desired operating state of the user by letting the user have an energy saving feeling or an economical feeling by taking the electricity bill into consideration. SOLUTION: In a normal mode, the air conditioner is operated so that the bill for spent electricity may become nearly coincident with an expected electricity bill and the air conditioner is controlled so that the deviation of the temperature Ti in a room from a set temperature Ts may fall within the range of ±Tn until the temperature Ti reaches the set temperature Ts. In a saving mode, the number of revolutions of a compressor is reduced from that in the normal mode until the temperature Ti reaches the set temperature Ts so that the spend electricity bill may become lower than the expected electricity bill. In addition, the air conditioner is controlled so that the deviation of the temperature Ti from the set temperature Ts may fall within the range of ±Te (Te>Tn) which is larger than that in the normal mode. In a power mode, in addition, the air conditioner is operated by increasing the numbers of revolutions of the air conditioner and a fan so that the temperature Ti in the room may reach the set temperature Ts more quickly than the normal mode by ignoring the expected electricity bill.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the operation of an air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor for compressing refrigerant gas and an indoor unit having a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with refrigerant gas and a blower. The present invention relates to a control device of an air conditioner to be controlled.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Normally, in an air conditioner for home use, one of an "automatic mode" and a "manual mode" can be selected by operating an operation key provided on a remote controller or the like. .

[0003] When an "auto mode" is selected, the rotation speeds of the compressor of the outdoor unit and the blower of the indoor unit are automatically controlled so that the indoor temperature becomes the set temperature set by operating the operation keys. In the case of "manual mode", by selecting any of "strong", "weak" and "fine",
The rotation speed of the blower of the indoor unit is controlled to a rotation speed set in advance for each of the “strong”, “weak”, and “fine” modes.

[0004] Recently, an air conditioner has been proposed in which a user is given a feeling of energy saving and a sense of value by paying attention to the electricity bill used. Specifically, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-2
As described in Japanese Patent No. 57717, there is a domestic air conditioner that automatically stops operation when a predetermined electricity bill or power consumption is reached during operation. is there.

[0005]

However, in the air conditioner described in the above-mentioned publication, the operation is stopped when either the preset electricity cost or the power consumption is reached, so that the electricity cost to be used is reduced. However, since the operating time and the set temperature desired by the user are not taken into account, the used electricity bill is set, for example, even though the set temperature has not been reached. The operation is not always performed in the operation state desired by the user, for example, the operation is stopped after exceeding the electricity bill.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioner capable of operating in a driving state desired by a user while giving the user a feeling of energy saving and a sense of saving in consideration of an electricity bill. I do.

[0007]

To achieve the above object, the present invention comprises an outdoor unit having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant gas, a heat exchanger and a blower for exchanging heat with the refrigerant gas. An air conditioner control device for controlling the operation of an air conditioner comprising an indoor unit and a current sensor for detecting a current consumption of the outdoor unit, and a current detected by the current sensor and an energizing time thereof. A calculating unit that calculates the amount of power and the actual electricity charge, and an indoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat exchanger as an indoor temperature,
An outdoor temperature sensor for detecting an outdoor temperature, a setting unit for setting an operation time, a set temperature and a desired electricity rate by an external operation, the operation time, a temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature at that time, and the outdoor A pattern determination unit that determines an operation pattern of the compressor and the blower from the temperature and the desired electricity rate, and a control unit that controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit according to the operation pattern determined by the pattern determination unit. The setting unit is operated in a normal mode by an external operation, a saving mode in which the deviation of the room temperature with respect to the set temperature is operated to be wider than the normal mode to save an actual electricity bill. The power mode is operated in such a manner that the deviation of the room temperature from the set temperature is smaller than that in the normal mode. Function, and a function of setting a power rate mode to operate according to the desired power rate set by the user, the control unit, the set operation time, the set temperature and the set temperature From the temperature difference between the indoor temperature and the outdoor temperature, the expected electricity rate to be consumed, and the operating time, the temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature, and the outdoor temperature, the outdoor unit And to derive the minimum electricity rate required to drive the indoor unit, and when setting the normal mode, drive so that the actual electricity rate used by the calculator substantially matches the expected electricity rate, When the saving mode is set, the compressor is operated with the rotational speed of the compressor lower than that in the normal mode, so that the actual electricity rate used by the calculator becomes lower than the expected electricity rate. At the time of setting the power mode, ignoring the expected electricity rate and increasing the rotation speed of the compressor and the blower mainly so as to make the arrival time until the room temperature reaches the set temperature faster than in the normal mode. If the set desired electricity rate exceeds the minimum electricity rate at the time of setting the electricity rate mode, it is determined by the pattern determination unit according to a difference between the desired electricity rate and the minimum electricity rate. The operation pattern is changed.

According to such a configuration, when any one of the normal mode, the saving mode, and the power mode is set by the setting unit, the control unit controls the outdoor unit and the outdoor unit in accordance with each set mode. Since the indoor unit is controlled, the operation corresponding to the expected electricity rate can be performed when the normal mode is set, and the temperature adjustment range is wider than the normal mode when the saving mode is set. The mode can be set lower than the mode, and when the power mode is set, the expected electricity rate is ignored, but the set temperature desired by the user can be quickly reached, and the operation that meets the user's request can be executed.

[0009] When the set electricity rate mode is set by the setting section, if the set desired electricity rate exceeds the minimum electricity rate required to drive the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, the desired electricity rate is set. Since the operation pattern determined according to the difference from the minimum electricity rate is changed, an operation that satisfies the operation time and the set temperature while considering the electricity rate is executed according to a request of a user who values the electricity rate. be able to.

Therefore, it is possible to execute not only the operation that satisfies the operation time and the set time desired by the user, but also the operation that satisfies the desired electricity rate desired by the user.

The present invention also controls the operation of an air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant gas and an indoor unit having a heat exchanger and a blower for exchanging heat with the refrigerant gas. A current sensor for detecting current consumption of the outdoor unit, and a calculation unit for calculating an amount of power consumption and an actual electricity charge based on a current detected by the current sensor and a current supply time. When,
An indoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat exchanger as an indoor temperature, an outdoor temperature sensor that detects an outdoor temperature, an operation time by an external operation, a setting unit that sets a set temperature and a desired electricity rate, and the operation time, From the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature at that time, the outdoor temperature, and the desired electricity rate, a pattern determination unit that determines an operation pattern of the compressor and the blower, and the pattern determination unit determines the pattern. A control unit that controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit in accordance with the operation pattern thus set.

According to such a configuration, when the operation time, the set temperature and the desired electricity rate are set by operating the setting unit, the temperature difference between the set operation time, the set temperature and the room temperature at that time, The operation pattern of the compressor and the blower is determined from the outdoor temperature and the desired electricity rate, and the control unit controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit according to the determined operation pattern. Therefore, it is possible not only to execute the operation that satisfies the operation time and the set time desired by the user, but also to execute the operation that satisfies the desired electricity rate desired by the user.

[0013] Further, according to the present invention, the setting unit is operated by an external operation so that a deviation width of the room temperature from the set temperature is wider than that in the normal mode, thereby saving an actual electricity bill. And a power mode in which the operation mode is set so that a deviation width of the room temperature with respect to the set temperature is smaller than the normal mode. At the time of setting the mode, the operation time, the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature at that time, and, from the outdoor temperature, derive a predicted electricity rate that is expected to be consumed, and at the time of setting the normal mode, The operation is performed so that the actual electricity rate used by the calculator is substantially equal to the expected electricity rate, and when the saving mode is set, the actual electricity rate used by the calculator is In order to be lower than the expected electricity rate, the operation is mainly performed by lowering the rotation speed of the compressor than the normal mode, and when the power mode is set, the expected electricity rate is ignored, and the room temperature is set to the set value. In order to shorten the time required to reach the temperature in comparison with the normal mode, the operation is mainly performed by increasing the rotation speeds of the compressor and the blower.

According to such a configuration, when any one of the normal mode, the saving mode, and the power mode is set by the setting unit, the control unit controls the outdoor unit and the outdoor unit according to each set mode. The indoor unit is controlled. When the normal mode is set, the operation corresponding to the expected electricity rate can be performed.When the saving mode is set, the temperature control range is wider than the normal mode, but the actual electricity rate can be lower than the normal mode. At the time of setting the power mode, the expected electricity rate is ignored, but the set temperature desired by the user can be quickly reached, and the operation that meets the user's request can be executed.

Further, according to the present invention, when the control unit sets the electricity rate mode, the control unit determines the outdoor unit and the indoor unit from the operating time, a temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature, and the outdoor temperature. Deriving the minimum electricity rate required to drive the machine, and if the set desired electricity rate exceeds the minimum electricity rate, the pattern according to the difference between the desired electricity rate and the minimum electricity rate. The operation pattern determined by the determination unit is changed.

According to such a configuration, when the electric charge mode is set by the setting unit, the set desired electric charge is the minimum electric charge required to drive the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. If it exceeds, the operation pattern determined according to the difference between the desired electricity rate and the minimum electricity rate is changed, and accordingly, according to the demand of the user who attaches importance to the electricity rate, the operation time and the set temperature are considered while considering the electricity rate. Can be performed.

Further, according to the present invention, the control unit may determine that the set desired electricity rate exceeds the minimum electricity rate.
When the predetermined amount is not exceeded, the operation pattern is mainly changed to change the rotation speed of the blower.When the predetermined amount is exceeded, the operation pattern is mainly changed to change the rotation speed of the compressor. The feature is that the driving pattern is changed.

According to such a configuration, when the operation satisfying the desired electricity rate is executed, if the desired electricity rate is larger than the minimum electricity rate, the rotation speed of the compressor is changed, and the desired electricity rate is reduced. When the width exceeding the minimum electricity rate is small, the operation that satisfies the desired electricity rate can be accurately performed by changing each operation pattern so as to change the rotation speed of the blower.

Further, the present invention includes a notifying unit for performing a predetermined notification, wherein the control unit compares the set desired electricity rate with the derived minimum electricity rate, and determines whether the desired electricity rate is lower. It is characterized in that when the electricity price falls below the minimum electricity rate, the notifying unit is controlled to notify the fact.

According to such a configuration, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit cannot be driven because the desired electricity rate is lower than the minimum electricity rate, and the user is notified by the notification unit to that effect. Can recognize that the desired electricity rate is too low, and can perform normal operation by resetting the desired electricity rate again.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a control device for an air conditioner according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is an external perspective view of the air conditioner, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control device of the air conditioner, FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are operation explanatory flowcharts.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioner 1 has an air conditioning function of cooling or heating room air, and is mounted on a wall or the like as an indoor unit via a mounting plate (not shown). This air conditioner 1 has a casing 5 which is a main body having a front face opened as an air suction port 3 and an air discharge port 4 provided below the air suction port 3, and a front grille 7. A front panel 8 mounted on the inlet 3, a heat exchanger 10 provided in the casing 5 facing the air inlet 3 of the casing 5, and a heat exchanger 10
In order to allow air to flow from the air inlet 3 to the air outlet 4 via the air outlet 3, a cross-flow fan 12 as a blower provided at the back of the air outlet 4 is provided.

A filter 14 is provided between the front panel 8 and the heat exchanger 10, and a louver 1 for adjusting the air discharge angle is provided at the air discharge port 4 of the casing 5.
5 is provided to open and close the air discharge port 4. A microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as “microcomputer”) 20 that controls the entire air conditioner 1 is provided inside the casing 5. The heat exchanger 10 is connected to a heat exchanger provided in an outdoor unit (not shown) by a refrigerant pipe, and a compressor (not shown) of the outdoor unit is connected via the heat exchanger.
Heat is exchanged with the more compressed refrigerant gas.

Next, the structure of the control device of the air conditioner 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a setting unit 2 comprising a remote controller having a plurality of keys is provided.
1 are provided, and key signals corresponding to these key operations are input to the microcomputer 20. Further, detection signals of an indoor temperature sensor 22 that detects the temperature of the heat exchanger 10 as an indoor temperature and an outdoor temperature sensor 23 that detects the temperature of an outdoor unit are input to the microcomputer 20.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a detection signal of the current sensor 24 for detecting the current consumption of the outdoor unit is input to the microcomputer 20, and the output of the microcomputer 20, for example, R
The compressor 27 of the outdoor unit and the fan 1 of the indoor unit are operated in accordance with various operation patterns stored in advance in the storage unit 27 made of OM.
2 is controlled. Reference numeral 30 denotes a display unit composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for performing a predetermined display under the control of the microcomputer 20. As will be described later, the operation time, the set temperature, the desired electricity rate, etc. In addition to the setting data, the operation mode such as heating / cooling is displayed, and a notification is performed by displaying a predetermined message. The display unit 30 corresponds to a notification unit in the present invention.

In the setting section 21, an operation time, a set temperature, and a desired electricity rate are set in addition to an operation / stop key, an operation mode key for selecting an operation mode such as heating / cooling / dehumidification / blowing, and the like. For example, a mode selection key for selecting an operation mode for executing any one of the normal mode, the saving mode, and the power mode, and an electricity rate mode for executing the operation based on the electricity rate is provided. Is provided.

When an operation mode such as heating / cooling / dehumidification / blowing is selected by operating the operation mode key of the setting unit 21, the microcomputer 20 controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit to select the selected operation mode. Is performed. Further, the operation time M set by operating the setting key
t, the set temperature Ts, the desired electricity rate Cr, the temperature difference ΔT between the set temperature Ts and the room temperature Ti detected by the room temperature sensor 22 at that time, and the outdoor temperature To detected by the outdoor temperature sensor 23. The operation pattern of the machine 28 and the fan 12 is determined. The operation pattern determination processing by the microcomputer 20 corresponds to a pattern determination unit.

At this time, for each operation mode of heating / cooling / dehumidification / blowing, various operation times Mt, set temperatures Ts,
An operation pattern which is a control pattern of the compressor 28 and the fan 12 corresponding to the desired electricity rate Cr, the temperature difference ΔT between the set temperature Ts and the indoor temperature Ti, and the outdoor temperature To is obtained in advance,
These are stored in the form of a table in the storage unit 27, and the microcomputer 20 sets the electric charge mode, which will be described later, at the time of setting.
The operation pattern corresponding to the operation time Mt, the set temperature Ts, and the like in the set operation mode is read from the storage unit 27, and the read operation pattern is appropriately changed to change the operation pattern.
Is controlled.

Here, the various operation patterns stored in the storage unit 27 include the operation time set by operating the setting unit 21 in each of the operation modes such as heating and cooling.
The control data such as the number of revolutions of the compressor 28 and the fan 12 necessary for satisfying the set data such as the set temperature and the desired electricity rate may be experimentally obtained and patterned. More specifically, each set data in each operation mode, and sensor data such as a temperature difference ΔT between the set temperature Ts and the room temperature Ti and an outdoor temperature To are varied so that the set data can be satisfied every elapsed time. It is desirable to obtain control data of the compressor 28 and the like in advance and store it in the storage unit 27 as an operation pattern.

When the operation mode is selected by operating the mode selection key, the operation time Mt set by operating the setting key at that time, the temperature difference ΔT between the set temperature Ts and the room temperature Ti at that time, And from the outdoor temperature To,
Expected electricity rate C expected to be consumed by microcomputer 20
e is derived in advance, and the electricity consumption Cc actually used per unit time (for example, one hour) is calculated from the current consumption and the energization time of the outdoor unit based on the detection signal from the current sensor 24, which is input momentarily. Is calculated. The calculation processing of the electricity charge Cc by the microcomputer 20 corresponds to a calculation unit.

If the set operation mode is the normal mode, the microcomputer 20 controls the outdoor unit and the outdoor unit in such a pattern that the used electricity rate Cc substantially matches the expected electricity rate Ce until the set temperature Ts is reached. The indoor unit is controlled. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the indoor temperature T obtained by controlling the outdoor unit and the indoor unit with respect to the set temperature Ts.
The deviation of i is controlled to fall within the range of ± Tn, and as a result, the room temperature Ti changes as shown by the solid line in FIG.

Next, if the set operation mode is the saving mode, the microcomputer 20 mainly operates the compressor until the set temperature Ts is reached so that the used electricity rate Cc becomes lower than the expected electricity rate Ce. The operation is performed with the rotation speed of 28 lower than that in the normal mode. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the deviation of the indoor temperature Ti obtained by controlling the outdoor unit and the indoor unit with respect to the set temperature Ts is in a range of ± Te (Te> Tn) larger than that in the above-described normal mode. It is controlled to enter.

If the set operation mode is the power mode, the microcomputer 20 ignores the expected electricity rate Ce, and the arrival time until the room temperature Ti reaches the set temperature Ts is set to be shorter than in the normal mode. The operation is mainly performed by increasing the rotation speeds of the compressor 28 and the fan 12. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the deviation of the indoor temperature Ti obtained by controlling the outdoor unit and the indoor unit with respect to the set temperature Ts is smaller than that in the normal mode described above by ± Tp (T
It is controlled to fall within the range of p <Tn).

In FIG. 3, the time axis (horizontal axis)
Is an input stage of various setting data by a user's operation of the setting unit 21, a calculation and a display stage of an estimated electricity rate Ce or the like based on the setting data,
The “operation start period” is a stage of operation corresponding to each mode until reaching the set temperature Ts, and the “stabilization period”
This is the stage of operation while checking the current consumption by the current sensor 24, and the “end period” is the end of the set operation time Mt and the stage of displaying the actual electricity charge Cc.

On the other hand, when the electricity rate mode is selected by operating the mode selection key, the operation time Mt set at that time, the temperature difference ΔT between the set temperature Ts and the room temperature Ti,
And the minimum electric charge Cm required for driving the outdoor unit and the indoor unit by the microcomputer 20 from the outdoor temperature To.
Is derived, and if the desired electricity rate Cr set by operating the setting key exceeds the minimum electricity rate Cm, the determined operation pattern is changed according to the difference between the desired electricity rate Cr and the minimum electricity rate Cm, The outdoor unit and the indoor unit are controlled by the microcomputer 20 according to the changed operation pattern.

At this time, when the amount of the set desired electricity rate Cr exceeding the minimum electricity rate Cm does not exceed a predetermined amount ΔC, the operation pattern is changed mainly to change the rotation speed of the fan 21. When the predetermined amount ΔC is exceeded, the operation pattern is changed mainly to change the rotation speed of the compressor 28. As described above, the process of deriving the expected electricity rate Ce by the microcomputer 20 and the process of controlling the microcomputer 20 correspond to a control unit in the present invention.

The desired electricity rate Cr is the minimum electricity rate C.
If it is less than m, a warning message indicating that the outdoor unit and the indoor unit cannot be driven is displayed on the display unit 30 by the microcomputer 20, and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are not driven.

Next, a series of operations will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Now, as shown in FIG. 4, the microcomputer 20 calculates the operation time Mt, the temperature difference ΔT between the set temperature Ts and the room temperature Ti at that time set by the operation of the setting unit 21 by the user, and the outdoor temperature To.
As a result, the expected electricity rate Ce for which consumption is expected is derived in advance, the minimum electricity rate Cm required to drive the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is derived (S1), and the derived expected electricity rate Ce is derived. And the minimum electricity rate Cm is displayed on the display unit 30.
Is displayed (S2).

Then, it is determined whether the operation mode such as the electricity rate mode or the normal mode has been selected and set by the operation of the setting unit 21 (S3). If it is determined that the operation mode has been set, the operation mode is saved. Mode, the normal mode, and the power mode (S4). In the saving mode, the deviation of the room temperature Ti from the set temperature Ts is larger than that in the normal mode ± Te (Te> T).
The control patterns of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit that fall within the range of n) are read from the storage unit 27 and set (S5).
Until the set temperature Ts is reached, the compressor 28 is mainly operated at a lower rotational speed than in the normal mode until the set temperature Ts is reached so that the used electricity rate Cc becomes lower than the expected electricity rate Ce (S
6).

In the normal mode, the set temperature Ts
On the other hand, the control pattern of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit such that the deviation of the indoor temperature Ti falls within the range of ± Tn is read out from the storage unit 27 and set (S7) until the set temperature Ts is reached. The outdoor unit and the indoor unit are controlled such that the used electricity rate Cc substantially matches the expected electricity rate Ce (S
8).

Further, in the case of the power mode, the set temperature T
The control pattern of the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is read from the storage unit 27 such that the deviation of the indoor temperature Ti with respect to s falls within the range of ± Tp (Tp <Tn) smaller than that in the normal mode described above. It is set (S9), the estimated electricity rate Ce is ignored, and the operation is performed mainly by increasing the rotation speed of the compressor 28 and the fan 12 so that the arrival time until the room temperature Ti reaches the set temperature Ts is shorter than in the normal mode. (S
10).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the electricity billing mode has been set, then in step S3
1 and the setting unit 21
Is compared with the desired electricity rate Cr set by the operation described above, and it is determined whether the desired electricity rate Cr is equal to or higher than the minimum electricity rate Cm (S11).

Then, the determination result of step S11 is YE
S, that is, when the desired electricity rate Cr is equal to or greater than the minimum electricity rate Cm and the difference does not exceed a predetermined amount ΔC, the operation read from the storage unit 27 mainly to change the rotation speed of the fan 21 When a change is made to the pattern and exceeds a predetermined amount ΔC, a change is made to the operation pattern read from the storage unit 27 mainly to change the rotation speed of the compressor 28, and the changed operation pattern Is set as the operation pattern of the electricity rate mode at that time (S12), and the microcomputer 20 controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit according to the changed operation pattern (S13).

When the result of the determination in step S11 is NO, that is, when the desired electricity rate Cr is lower than the minimum electricity rate Cm, the microcomputer 20 displays a warning message indicating that the outdoor unit and the indoor unit cannot be driven. Displayed on the unit 30, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are both not driven (S14).

Then, steps S6, S8, S
After the processing of steps S10 and S13, step S13 shown in FIG.
Then, it is determined whether or not the operation for the unit time has been completed (S15). If the determination result is NO, the current consumption by the current sensor 24 and the electricity usage Cc during that time are calculated and integrated ( S16), and then return to step S15 again.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, if the decision result in the step 15 is YES, it is decided whether or not the set operation time Mt has elapsed (S17), and the decision result is YES, that is, If it is determined that the operation time Mt has elapsed, the accumulated electricity charge Cc is displayed on the display unit 30 (S18), and the operation is thereafter terminated.

If the result of the determination in step 17 is NO, that is, if it is determined that the operating time Mt has not elapsed, the unit time desired electricity rate Cru obtained by converting the set desired electricity rate Cr per unit time is actually obtained. Is compared with the unit time use electricity rate Ccu (S19), and it is determined whether the unit time desired electricity rate Cru exceeds the actual unit time use electricity rate Ccu (S20), and the determination result is YES. If there is, the degree of excess of the desired unit time desired electricity rate with respect to the actual unit time usage electricity rate is checked (S2).
1) When the degree of excess exceeds a predetermined amount, the compressor 28 is controlled to forcibly lower the set temperature Ts by lowering the rotational speed of the compressor 28, and when the degree of excess does not exceed the predetermined amount. The rotation speed of the fan 12 is controlled to be reduced (S22).
Return to 15.

Further, if the decision result in the step S20 is NO, it is decided whether or not the room temperature Ti is far from the set temperature Ts (S23).
If O, the process returns to step S15. If the determination result is YES, if the deviation of the room temperature Ti from the set temperature Ts is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the rotational speed of the compressor 28 is increased to set the set temperature Ts. Is forcibly changed, and when the deviation does not exceed a predetermined value, the rotation speed of the fan 12 is controlled to be increased (S24), and thereafter, the process returns to the above-described step S15.

As described above, when any one of the normal mode, the saving mode, and the power mode is set by the setting unit 21, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit are set by the microcomputer 20 according to each set mode. Therefore, when the normal mode is set, the operation corresponding to the expected electricity rate Ce can be performed. When the saving mode is set, the temperature control range is wider than the normal mode (for example, 1 to 2 ° C. wider). The actual electricity charge Cc can be lower than that in the normal mode. When the power mode is set, the expected electricity charge Ce is ignored, but the set temperature T desired by the user is set.
s can be quickly reached, and driving that meets the user's request is performed.

When the setting section 21 sets the electricity rate mode, the set desired electricity rate Cr is
If the minimum electricity rate Cm required to drive the outdoor unit and the indoor unit is exceeded, the operation pattern determined according to the difference between the desired electricity rate Cr and the minimum electricity rate Cm is changed. In response to a user's request that attaches importance to the operation, an operation that satisfies the operation time Mt and the set temperature Ts is performed while considering the electricity rate.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible not only to execute the operation satisfying the operation time Mt and the set time Ts desired by the user, but also to satisfy the desired electricity rate Cr desired by the user. Can be performed.

When operating in the electricity billing mode,
When the desired electricity rate Cr set by the user is lower than the minimum minimum electricity rate Cm required to operate the air conditioner 1, the desired electricity rate Cr is lower than the minimum electricity rate Cm and the outdoor unit and Since the warning message indicating that the indoor unit cannot be driven is displayed on the display unit 30, the user can easily recognize that the desired electricity rate Cr is too low, and set the desired electricity rate again. Thus, normal operation can be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which either the electricity rate mode or the operation mode such as the normal mode or the saving mode can be selected and set. Even if only one of the settings can be made, it does not matter.

Further, the contents of the control patterns in each of the operation modes, ie, the normal mode, the saving mode, and the power mode, are not particularly limited to the examples described above.

In the above-described embodiment, the notification unit for notifying that the desired electricity rate Cr is lower than the minimum electricity rate Cm and the outdoor unit and the indoor unit cannot be driven is provided.
The case where the display unit 30 displays the warning message has been described. However, the notification unit is not limited thereto, and the notification unit may be configured by a buzzer, an LED, or the like.

Further, it goes without saying that the configuration of the air conditioner 1 is not particularly limited to the configuration as shown in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes other than those described above can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0058]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when any one of the normal mode, the saving mode, and the power mode is set by the setting unit,
The outdoor unit and the indoor unit are controlled by the control unit according to each set mode, so that when the normal mode is set, the operation corresponding to the expected electricity rate can be performed. Although the range of temperature control is wide, the actual electricity charge can be lower than in the normal mode, and when the power mode is set, the expected electricity charge is ignored, but the user can quickly reach the desired set temperature. In addition, it is possible to execute the driving that meets the user's request.

Further, when the setting section sets the electricity rate mode, if the set desired electricity rate exceeds the minimum electricity rate required to drive the outdoor unit and the indoor unit, the desired electricity rate is set. Since the operation pattern determined according to the difference from the minimum electricity rate is changed, an operation that satisfies the operation time and the set temperature while considering the electricity rate is executed according to a request of a user who values the electricity rate. It becomes possible.

Therefore, it is possible to execute the operation satisfying the operation time and the set time desired by the user as well as the air conditioner capable of executing the operation satisfying the desired electricity rate desired by the user. Machine can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the operation time, the set temperature, and the desired electricity rate are set by operating the setting unit, the set operation time, the set temperature, and the room temperature at that time are set. The operation pattern of the compressor and the blower is determined from the temperature difference with the outside, the outdoor temperature, and the desired electricity rate, and the control unit controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit according to the determined operation pattern. It is possible to execute not only the operation that satisfies the operation time and the set time, but also the operation that satisfies the desired electricity rate desired by the user.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the normal mode is set, the operation corresponding to the expected electricity rate can be executed. When the saving mode is set, the temperature control is wider than in the normal mode. However, when the power mode is set, the actual electricity charge can be lower than in the normal mode, and the expected electricity charge is ignored. Can be executed.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the electricity rate mode is set by the setting section, the set desired electricity rate is the minimum required for driving the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. If the electricity rate exceeds the minimum electricity rate, the operation pattern determined according to the difference between the desired electricity rate and the minimum electricity rate is changed. An operation satisfying the operation time and the set temperature can be executed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the operation satisfying the desired electricity rate is executed, if the desired electricity rate is larger than the minimum electricity rate, the rotational speed of the compressor is changed. When the desired electricity rate is less than the minimum electricity rate, the fan speed is changed.
By changing each operation pattern, it is possible to accurately execute the operation satisfying the desired electricity rate.

According to the invention, the outdoor unit and the indoor unit cannot be driven because the desired electricity rate is lower than the minimum electricity rate, and the information is notified by the notification unit. By doing so, the user can recognize that the desired electricity rate is too low, and normal operation can be performed by setting the desired electricity rate again.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air conditioner 10 Heat exchanger 12 Cross flow type fan (blower) 20 Microcomputer (calculation part, pattern determination part, control part) 21 Setting part 22 Indoor temperature sensor 23 Outdoor temperature sensor 24 Current sensor 28 Compressor 30 Display part ( Notification section)

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An air conditioner for controlling operation of an air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor for compressing a refrigerant gas and an indoor unit having a heat exchanger and a blower for exchanging heat with the refrigerant gas. A control unit that detects a current consumption of the outdoor unit, a calculating unit that calculates an amount of power consumption and an actual electricity charge based on a current detected by the current sensor and a current supply time thereof, An indoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the exchanger as an indoor temperature; an outdoor temperature sensor that detects an outdoor temperature; a setting unit that sets an operation time, a set temperature, and a desired electricity rate by an external operation; and the operation time and the setting. Pattern determination for determining an operation pattern of the compressor and the blower from a temperature difference between a temperature and the indoor temperature at that time, the outdoor temperature, and the desired electricity rate. And a control unit that controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit according to the operation pattern determined by the pattern determination unit, wherein the setting unit performs a normal mode by an external operation, and a deviation of the indoor temperature from the set temperature. A power saving mode in which the width is wider than in the normal mode to save the actual electricity bill, a power mode in which the deviation of the room temperature from the set temperature is smaller than in the normal mode, A function to set any one of the operation modes, and a function to set to the electricity rate mode to operate according to the desired electricity rate by the user setting, the control unit, the set operation time, A temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature at that time, and, from the outdoor temperature, an expected electricity rate to be consumed, and the operation time; From the temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature, and the outdoor temperature, derive a minimum electricity rate required to drive the outdoor unit and the indoor unit at a minimum, and when the normal mode is set, the calculation is performed. The operation is performed so that the actual use electricity rate by the section substantially matches the expected electricity rate, and such that the actual use electricity rate by the calculation section is lower than the expected electricity rate when the saving mode is set. The compressor is operated at a lower rotation speed than the normal mode, when the power mode is set, the expected electricity rate is ignored, and the arrival time until the room temperature reaches the set temperature is reduced from the normal mode. In order to speed up the operation, the operation is mainly performed by increasing the rotation speeds of the compressor and the blower, and when the electric charge mode is set, the set desired electric charge is the minimum electric charge. Uwamaware words, the desired control of the air conditioner and changes the operation pattern determined by the pattern determining unit according to the difference electricity rate and the lowest power rate. 2. An air conditioner for controlling the operation of an air conditioner comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor for compressing refrigerant gas and an indoor unit having a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the refrigerant gas and a blower. A control unit that detects a current consumption of the outdoor unit, a calculating unit that calculates an amount of power consumption and an actual electricity charge based on a current detected by the current sensor and a current supply time thereof, An indoor temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the exchanger as an indoor temperature; an outdoor temperature sensor that detects an outdoor temperature; a setting unit that sets an operation time, a set temperature, and a desired electricity rate by an external operation; and the operation time and the setting. Pattern determination for determining an operation pattern of the compressor and the blower from a temperature difference between a temperature and the indoor temperature at that time, the outdoor temperature, and the desired electricity rate. And a control unit that controls the outdoor unit and the indoor unit according to the operation pattern determined by the pattern determination unit. 3. The setting unit is operated in a normal mode by an external operation, in a saving mode in which the deviation of the room temperature from the set temperature is wider than in the normal mode, thereby saving an actual electricity bill.
A power mode that operates such that a deviation width of the room temperature from the set temperature is smaller than the normal mode, and a function of setting the operation mode, wherein the control unit is configured to set the operation mode. From the operation time, the temperature difference between the set temperature and the room temperature at that time, and the outdoor temperature, a predicted electricity rate to be consumed is derived, and when the normal mode is set, the calculation unit calculates The operation is performed so that the actual electricity rate substantially coincides with the expected electricity rate, and when the saving mode is set, the compression unit is mainly operated so that the actual electricity rate used by the calculation unit is lower than the expected electricity rate. Operating the machine at a lower rotational speed than the normal mode, when the power mode is set, ignoring the expected electricity rate until the room temperature reaches the set temperature. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the compressor and the blower are mainly operated at higher rotational speeds so that the arrival time of the compressor is shorter than that in the normal mode.
3. The control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1. 4. The control unit drives the outdoor unit and the indoor unit based on the operation time, a temperature difference between the set temperature and the indoor temperature, and the outdoor temperature when the electric charge mode is set. Derive the minimum required electricity rate, and if the set desired electricity rate exceeds the minimum electricity rate, the pattern determination unit determines the difference between the desired electricity rate and the minimum electricity rate. The said operation pattern performed is changed, The Claim 2 or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned.
3. The control device for an air conditioner according to claim 1. 5. The controller according to claim 1, wherein when the amount of the set desired electricity rate that exceeds the minimum electricity rate does not exceed a predetermined amount, the control unit performs the operation to mainly change the rotation speed of the blower. 5. The control device for an air conditioner according to claim 4, wherein when the pattern is changed and the amount exceeds a predetermined amount, the operation pattern is changed mainly to change the rotation speed of the compressor. 6. 6. A notifying unit for performing a predetermined notification, wherein the control unit compares the set desired electricity rate with the derived minimum electricity rate, and determines that the desired electricity rate is the minimum electricity rate. The control device for an air conditioner according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the control unit controls the notification unit to notify the user when the value falls below the threshold.